News

Out of sight - the science of invisibility

By Katynna Gill

30 March 2009

Invisibility has always been the stuff of science fiction - until now. Thanks to physics, researchers are a step closer to perfecting a real invisibility cloak, capable of hiding people and objects from plain view. But what secret ingredients do scientists need in order to make this fantasy a reality?

Hear all about how invisibility works at the Sydney Science Forum on 8 April 2009. The sphere at the centre becomes invisible when wrapped in the larger sphere of metamaterial, which makes light rays (the black lines) appear undeviated from their original course as they emerge on the far side.

Find out at the University of Sydney's Sydney Science Forum on Wednesday 8 April 2009, where you will disappear into the exciting world of optical science and metamaterials.

The free talk, part of the Sydney Science Forum series of lectures, will be presented by internationally renowned physicist, Professor Sir John Pendry, from Imperial College, London.

Sir John and his team rocked the science world with their prototype invisibility cloak, and now you have the chance to learn all about the amazing materials they are creating to bend light and make objects disappear.

In 2008, Professor Pendry's distinguished career as a scientist was celebrated at PendryFest, a UK event which paid homage to the extraordinary depth and breadth of Prof Pendry's contribution to physics over the past 40 years.

With science, anything is possible - come along and see invisibility for yourself!

At the end of the talk, the audience will have the opportunity to ask Professor Pendry anything they like about the science of invisibility.

Professor Ben Eggleton, Director of the University of Sydney's new Institute for Photonics and Optical Science, which will be officially opened on 23 April 2009, will introduce Professor Pendry and host the audience question session.

The Sydney Science Forum is a free public lecture series that brings a selection of the University of Sydney's top scientists and researchers from elsewhere to discuss the latest in scientific research, ideas, possibilities and innovations to the Sydney community every year.

Feed your mind. Learn something new. Meet the amazing people who are taking our knowledge of the world to a whole new level.

The Sydney Science Forum 'Out of Sight: The Science of Invisibility' presentation is on at: